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Board approves tax increase, 2026 budget, course book and multiple fundraising items
Summary
The Blue Ridge Unified School District board approved a truth-in-taxation primary property tax increase, adopted the fiscal 2026 expenditure budget, approved the high school course content book and ratified several fundraisers and donations; all motions passed unanimously.
The Blue Ridge Unified School District No. 32 governing board unanimously approved a primary property tax increase under the Truth in Taxation process, adopted the district’s fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget, and approved the high school course content book for the coming school year. The board also ratified multiple student fundraisers and donations during the meeting.
Board members voted Yea on the tax increase in a roll-call vote after an earlier public hearing on the matter. The board then adopted the district expenditure budget for fiscal 2026 and later approved the high school course content book, which district staff said was shortened this year and reorganized to move nonacademic items into separate handbooks. All formal votes recorded during the meeting passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Adopting the tax increase and the expenditure budget sets the district’s revenue and spending plan for the coming year. Approving the course content book finalizes graduation and course requirements students will see for the next school year.
Key outcomes (motions and votes) - Approval of consent agenda (after pulling items 2.6 and 2.7 for separate consideration): Motion by Margaret Gaby; passed unanimously (Gaby — yes; Silviana Stebbins — yes; Bridget Wood — yes; Michael Granillo — yes).
- Approval of fundraisers listed as item 2.6 (student council cookie dough sales; cross country family dinner Aug. 1 tied to the High Mountain Half; boys soccer fan gear and field banners; girls soccer calendar fundraiser): Motion by Silviana Stebbins; second by Margaret Gaby; passed unanimously.
- Acceptance of donations listed as item 2.7 (see separate item): Motion moved and seconded; passed unanimously.
- Adoption of a Truth in Taxation primary property tax increase (item 3.1): Roll call vote — Margaret Gaby: Yea; Silviana Stebbins: Yea; Bridget Wood: Yea; Michael Granillo: Yea. Motion passed unanimously.
- Adoption of the fiscal year 2026 expenditure budget (item 3.2): Motion by Bridget Wood; seconded; passed unanimously.
- Approval of the high school course content book for the coming school year: Motion moved and seconded; passed unanimously.
Details and context - The board pulled items 2.6 (fundraisers) and 2.7 (donations) from the consent agenda for separate discussion and then approved them during the meeting. - District staff explained the course content book was shortened and reorganized this year so that nonacademic information appears in separate handbooks (an athletics handbook and student handbook). - Board members who voted were recorded by name during roll call for the tax measure; other approvals were decided by voice vote with unanimous “aye” responses recorded.
What’s next: The district will implement the adopted budget for fiscal 2026 and distribute the approved course content book materials before the start of school. Several fundraisers and donations will proceed per the details approved by the board.
